To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Contract 72-274 with The HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda (HEPPAC)
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Health Services Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County Contract #72-274 with The HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda (HEPPAC), a non-profit corporation, in an amount not to exceed $206,404, to provide sexually transmitted infection (STI), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage to treatment services for Contra Costa County residents, for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Contract will result in an annual expenditure of up to $206,404 and will be funded as budgeted by the department, 100% California Department of Public Health (CDPH) grant funds.
BACKGROUND:
State STI/HIV Prevention and Collaboration grant allocations are intended for the implementation of Public Health activities related to monitoring, prevention, testing, linkage to treatment and retention in care activities for the most vulnerable and underserved individuals living with, or at high risk for, STI’s. Contractor is the Bay Area’s largest harm reduction services organization. In 2012, HEPPAC contracted with Contra Costa Health (CCH) after participating in a competitive process for designated County harm reduction funds to operate harm reduction services. Contractor remains the only County-supported harm reduction services provider. Contractor launched their State Supplemental Program (SSP) services in 1992 in Alameda County and still operates harm reduction services. Contractor has provided services to marginalized communities in Contra Costa County for the past twelve (12) years. The harm reduction services to be provided include, but are not limited to, a syringe exchange, STI, HIV, HCV rapid testing, education and support. HEPPAC has established and sustained a strong relationship with their existing participants. This new Contract will allow the Contractor to provide these services while fostering a deep understanding of Public Health’s mission, values, and long-term objectives starting July 1, 2025.
This Contract is entered into under and subject to the following legal authorities: California Government Code §§ 26227 and 31000. Health Services Personnel approved this Contract to ensure no conflicts with labor relations. Contractor will cooperate and participate in the County’s Quality Management Program which consists of quality improvement activities to improve the quality of care, services and member experience. Cooperation includes collection and evaluation of performance measurement data and participation in the organization’s clinical and service measure Quality Improvement Programs. Following a Request for Proposal (RFP), this Contract was awarded to The HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda by Public Works for July 1, 2025.
Approval of new Contract #72-274 will allow the Contractor to provide STI, HIV and HVC testing and linkage to treatment services through June 30, 2026. This contract is being processed late due to contract language negotiations that needed to take place after completion of the RFP process.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Contract is not approved, certain STI, HIV and HCV testing and linkage to treatment services for CCH will not be provided and may cause a delay in services to residents.